Community-Led Men's Wellness Centers Curb Violence

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to supporting families, children and communities in the Northern Territory and to help address the disproportionate rates of gender-based violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

In an effort to stop violence before it starts, three new community-led Men's Wellness Centres will be established in the Top End to provide support for First Nations men and boys with multiple and complex needs to recognise signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Tailored programs will be developed and delivered by three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisations that are culturally-informed and specific to community.

Bagala Aboriginal Corporation, located southeast of Katherine, will receive $4.4 million to establish culturally responsive and holistic support services for men in Barunga and Wuggular communities that ensure First Nations men and boys are informed and educated on respectful relationships, healthy parenting, and the impacts of coercive control.

The project will engage with professional service providers to address family and domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse, and support First Nations men to build and maintain healthy relationships. Services and programs will be strengths-based, trauma-informed and culturally inclusive

Thamarrurr Development Corporation, located in Wadeye, will receive $3.8 million to working with male Elders from the four main ceremonial groups, and potentially each of the 21 clans, to provide options for men youth and boys aged 10 and over to participate in culturally-focused, strength-based activities that reduce likelihood of fighting, substance misuse and other harmful behaviours

Ngaanyatjarra Health Service, located across Western Australia and the Northern Territory will receive $4 million for an on-country men's wellbeing program run in the six main Ngaanyatjarra communities. The Centres will provide multi-layered, integrated culturally safe and responsive services to assist Ngaanyatjarra men address their loss of identity, agency and purpose, and health issues which exacerbate their disconnect from community and family.

Sadly, First Nations women and children are 33 times more likely to be hospitalised due to violence than non-Indigenous women and six times more likely to die as a result of family violence.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said that the three centres are designed to focus Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural knowledge, frameworks, and responses to align with the unique histories and needs of each community.

There will be ten other Men's Wellness Centres established nationally in South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria.

"Ultimately, to achieve our goal of ending gender-based violence in one generation, we need to provide genuine support for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and boys now and this funding continues our strong record of investment in the Northern Territory," Minister Rishworth said.

"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled organisations are best placed to understand community needs and deliver services to achieve better results for First Nations families and their children" Minister Rishworth said.

"I am proud to be part of a Government that makes continuous efforts to work with First Nations peoples, and bring us closer to achieving our shared goal of ending gender-based violence in one generation."

Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said "First Nations-led solutions deliver better outcomes for First Nations people".

"The Albanese Government is committed to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisations to support First Nations communities with culturally appropriate programs," Minister McCarthy said.

"Working with and educating First Nations boys and men is crucial to ending gender based violence in First Nations communities."

Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour said family and gender-based violence has "far reaching and serious impacts".

"I welcome the funding of these Community-led Wellness Centres in my electorate and their critical importance to achieving our shared goal of ending gender-based violence in one generation," Ms Scrymgour said.

"The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations who are being funded to run the Wellness Centres in my electorate are well placed to deliver appropriate and culturally informed services to Aboriginal men. I look forward to the success of these programs in giving men the support, frameworks, knowledge and insights to maintain healthy relationships and say 'no' to violence against women and children".

This initiative will also help progress Target 13 under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap 2020-2030, which aims to reduce all forms of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by at least 50 per cent by 2031.